Show off a "Problem Coin"

Here's another one I'd love to know the story on, scratched Masonic symbol



And one that's just pretty.....except for the hole

 

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Cleaning hairlines are not the only clues or indications of a cleaned coin. The color and impaired luster (often dark and dull) can also be good indications. On this coin, the color screams cleaned to me. It also has an unnatural sheen about it that is also typical of cleaning.

 

Bought this at auction a few years ago. It is really beat up but has a low mintage, so put in a low bid .... and won! It won't win any prizes for condition but it appeals to me.

 

I completely agree that it shouldn't be in a problem free holder, but generally if the coin is labeled cleaned, it is because of a harsh cleaning. If this is not the case, just about every early white silver coin should be considered cleaned since it has almost certainly been dipped along the way. My contention is only that the label should have read questionable color or altered surfaces. I realize this is just semantics, but it would seem more proper to me as the description based on how I see the coin in hand.

 

Here's another example of an otherwise attractive coin becoming more 'affordable' due to 'issues'....a 'but' coin...(is that with one t or tt LOL).

 

A couple more with issues that made the price irresistible. The pics are much worse than the look in-hand. Sometimes the history and being able to handle a coin overrides the strict dollars and cents intellectual collector.

 

I agree with you H8-----here's a few Ancient 'But(t)' coins that are full of issues and non-slabbed, but remarkably affordable for what they are and what they 'say'...

Late Roman Republic (Ides of March stuff): Pompey the Great, and Brutus, one of Julius Caesars assassins....

 

Now that is historical stuff!

 

Nice Trade Dollar, even with the damage.

 

Here is my first Bust coin. I just picked her up today. The reverse is where the problems are and you'll see them right away. I like to think that the scratches were given to check to see if it was silver way back in the day. The dealer was asking $40.00 and I talked them down to $30.00

 

cool coin

 

Excellent value for the type...Congrats!!

 

The 1827 reverse die is really showing it's age with the die wear on it. Especially on UNITED.

 

Thanks guys. I just posted some more detailed images on this other thread. She has been cleaned as well. But I'm not complaining..

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/i-have-a-question-about-this-bust-half.261822/#post-2120557

 

After looking through this topic and getting to see the condition on these coins,I think I need to change my purchasing strategy and my eye's tested.For a moment I thought I was looking at my collection..as a beginner with a universe of knowledge to be learned (and a tiny budget) it seems that your worst coins look like my best ones.Suppose I get what I pay for.
Really interesting topic and enjoyed it.[emoji106]

 

Here is a case of a lesson learned and false advertising which resulted in my "problem coin".
I kept them to remind me to be more careful.
I thought I was purchasing something like...
But instead I got these..

I laugh about it now but I can't say I was happy when they turned up. (Weirdly I kinda like them.).Suppose there is the answer to my collection.I like the unusual/different coins that other's would not look at.[emoji23]

 

View attachment 402585
I laugh about it now but I can't say I was happy when they turned up. (Weirdly I kinda like them.).Suppose there is the answer to my collection.I like the unusual/different coins that other's would not look at.[emoji23][/QUOTE]

It must be the 'Ancients' collector in me, but I kinda like them better that way too LOL.... They show 'character' and are not savagely cleaned within an inch of their lives.

 

Well. here's my final post about a 'problem' coin that allows a very nice example to become affordable to anyone...if you can accept the 'issues'.

 

And just when I thought I was all alone in the odd and unusual coin category. .WHammy...[emoji95]
Mikee Zee..confirms that I am not alone.
I was gonna change my name to the Unwanted Coin Collector.
I look at some coins in a right state and think "there could be a rare cherry pickers error underneath all that crap".
But I must obey the golden rule to Not clean the coin..[emoji16]

 

I posted a thread about this coin a while back, but I like too much to not post it again